In a major blow to summer travel plans, more than 12,000 flights across Europe could be cancelled daily as air traffic controllers at Eurocontrol, the European air traffic management body, have announced plans to go on strike. The strikes are expected to impact around a third of all European flights, potentially causing significant disruption for British holidaymakers.

While the exact dates of the strikes have yet to be confirmed, concerns are mounting that the dates may be strategically chosen to maximize the impact on travel, further jeopardizing vacation plans. Industry insiders warn that in the event of a full-scale strike, delays could affect at least 20 to 30 per cent of flights, indicating the magnitude of the potential disruption.

With approximately 33,000 flights expected to take off daily across Europe over the next eight weeks, and possibly even more during certain days in August, the strikes pose a significant threat to air travel stability. Airline sources have described the planned strikes as likely to be “extremely disruptive.”

Eurocontrol, which handles around 96,000 messages daily from pilots, airlines, and their staff, is currently facing demands from the Syndicale Bruxelles Union to hire an additional 20 air traffic controllers due to perceived staffing shortages. The union argues that its case is both lawful and fair, serving the best interests of the agency, the network manager, stakeholders, and the flying public.

The potential strike action has raised concerns among industry leaders, with Gatwick Airport’s CEO Stewart Wingate highlighting the French strikes as particularly impactful on UK flights. He noted that such strikes affect almost every movement from the UK and cause operational delays, leading to overcrowded terminals.

Major European cities, including Barcelona, Brussels, Budapest, Nicosia, London, Warsaw, and Zagreb, are expected to be among the areas most affected by the strikes. Exact strike dates are anticipated to be announced on Monday, heightening the anxieties of travellers who may be directly impacted by the disruptions.

Holidaymakers are advised to closely monitor updates and consult with their airlines or travel providers for the latest information on flight cancellations or rescheduling options. It is recommended to have contingency plans in place and consider alternative travel arrangements if necessary.